Où

Accès:

There are stairs at various points on Parliament Hill. Those with mobility restrictions may need to take a longer route to reach some stops on this tour.

An Unauthorized History of Parliament Hill: From Indigenous Land to Headquarters of Canada's Elite

Description

Photo: Construction of the Parliament Buildings

Parliament Hill is the most visited site in the Ottawa-Gatineau area, yet few people are familiar with its real history: the Algonquin people whose land it was, the British plan to make it a military fortress, the strikes and accidents involved in construction of the buildings, and its use by governments and protestors to influence political decision-making. This tour, led by Brian McDougall of Peoples’ History Walking Tours, examines many controversial aspects of the history of the ‘the Hill’ omitted in official tours.

As for all events on Jane's Walk weekend, this tour is free.

Route

Starting from the corner of Mackenzie Ave. & Rideau St. (in front of Milestones, across Mackenzie from the Chateau Laurier), the tour will proceed up Wellington to Parliament Hill, and then onto the Hill, visiting various sites outside the buildings, and ending at the Centennial Flame.

About

Brian McDougall is the founder and principle guide with Peoples’ History Walking Tours, a new (2014) Ottawa based company that takes its inspiration from practitioners of ‘history-from-below’. Brian is a long-time union and social activist, university teacher, and former public servant. He rejects ‘official’ versions of history that mainly reflect the interests of the 1%.

For more information about Brian and the Peoples' History Walking Tours, visit the website.